thiazzz wrote:i'm wondering how young people can afford this sport. I have a normal daytime job and find it very hard to buy new gear every year...

Buy second hand gear

Read a few reviews of the 2001/2002 gear and look up a few pictures of riders - all looks ok.

But, saying that, the new vegas and storms look the dogs bollocks. I think the yearly technology curve is flattening out - you get less benifits buying this years stuff compared to last years. Where as 2000-2001 leap in tech was massive.

Hope that makes sense.

In 2 years time every one will slate the vegas and hype the vegas3, but there's no doubt the vegas is still good. As is the airblast, the X10, X2, Aero, CO2....

This is asking kiters that go on the internet, but interesting all the same
With cheaper equipment and less bollocks marketing that targets middle agers feeling good about purchasing a kitesurfing product cos it has 2007 gimmick X (oh, and they can afford it..), kiteboarding will progress radically with more young riders showing everyone how to really rip hopefully in the near future.

Kiteboarding is for most ages and all about fun for sure, but I reckon the above is holding back a generation. I just spoke to younger rider that went into a shop for advice on what gear to buy (just starting), he was very confused. At the first stage of wanting to get into kiteboarding, it had become more like buying a mobile phone plan - what a turn off.

Of course there are people that just love to 'investigate and research' every insignificant minute detail of every product before buying - never to be outdone - not young people in my experience.

Nowdays, some riders' conversions at the beach seem to be more about gimmick X than about actual riding.